Golden, British Columbia,
CA: Outdoor Sportsman's Paradise
For the outdoors sportsman
Golden is the ideal destination, offering a variety
of year-round activities.
Golden is a village of 10,000 population
situated in the confluence of the British Columbia
and Kicking Horse rivers in a long deep valley between
the Rocky and Purcell Mountain ranges in eastern BC,
at an elevation of 790 m [2591 ft] located at the
heart of six mountainous national parks:
Yoho, Banff, Jasper, Kootenay Glacier
and Mount Revelstoke. Yoho National Park, the 'adopted'
park of the community, is a half-hour drive east of
Golden You can climb the mountain of your choice by
vehicle, mountain climbing or ice climbing through
mid-November through March, or in the gondola at Kicking
Horse Resort.
There are a variety of ways to descend
the long, steep sided mountain ranges. From May to
September mountain biking, hang/paragliding, bungee
jumping. And, of course, snowboarding and skiing are
popular during the winter.
Tourism became popular in the early
1900's when the CPR employed Swiss guides. The lure
of fresh, unconquered peaks and indeed, the prospect
of viewing and experiencing the untouched wilderness
of an infant country enticed Europeans and eastern
Canadians to fill CPR passenger cars and their hotel
rooms.
To make Swiss employees feel more
at home, the CPR constructed Swiss-style chalets and
called their accomplishment Edelweiss Village. Today
the original homes stand overlooking Golden as the
town draws ever more tourism.
From Golden, Banff is l15 km east;
Calgary is 263 km east; Lake Louise, about an hour
east on Hwy 1; Vancouver, 713 km west; Glacier National
Park, Park is two hours east on Hwy 1, and north on
Hwy 93; Kootenay Nat'l Park is one hour south on Hwy
95; Mt. Revelstoke National Park is 1 1/2 hours west
on Hwy 1; and Yoho National Park is 1/2-hour east
on Hwy 1.
Winter Activities:
Tobogganing, skating, or Nordic skiing
through rolling windy trails through the forests -
and from mid-November to the end of March: downhill
skiing, snowboarding, heli-skiing, cat skiing, snowmobile,
dogsledding, and ice climbing.
Downhill (Alpine) & Cat Skiing
/ Snowboarding:
The new Kicking Horse Mountain Resort
is being developed into a 250-acre resort with views
of the Canadian Rockies and encompassing 4005 acres
of ski and snowboarding terrain. The new gondola rises
to the summit of the Dogtooth Mountain Range at an
elevation of 7705 feet [2350 meters] where the new
Eagle's Eye Restaurant is located. The excellent snow
conditions will include a vertical drop of 4,133 feet
[1260 meters] from the top lift, making it the second
highest in Canada. Ski season is from early December
to the end of April.
Cross-Country Skiing:
Track-set trails are just minutes
from town at the Golden Golf Course. More challenging
trails can be found at Dawn Mountain Nordic Trail
System at the base of Kicking Horse Mountain Resort.
Many more tracks set by XC-enthusiasts can be found
in the Blaeberry and Columbia Valley. The season is
from December to April.
Dog Sledding:
Season lasts from late November to
April.
Ice climbing is popular through mid-November
through March, or in the gondola at Kicking Horse
Resort.
Snowmobiling is popular with routes
too numerous to mention.
Summer Activities:
Pilots from all over the world flock
to the Mount 7 flying site to paraglide and hang-glide.
Horseback Riding, hiking, mountain biking, golfing,
fishing, and air tours, world class white water rafting,
ATVing, Motocross, and rock climbing attract international
thrill seekers.
Also popular are bird and wildlife
viewing, slow floats, wetland scenic forest tours.
Boating and angling are common activities
at recreation sites. Most sites allow car top boat
launching only. That means you can hand-launch only
canoes, kayaks and boats small enough to be carried
on top of your car. Trailered boats can be launched
safely and conveniently from those sites with ramp
facilities. In most cases, the ramps are suitable
only for small and medium-sized boats.
A plane or helicopter ride will show
you the Selkirk, Purcell and Rocky Mountain ranges
and their glaciers. You can even land on a glacier
for a closer look. Air tours are available year-round.
For local history there's the Golden
Museum where you can learn about the important role
that Swiss Mountain Guides played in the birth of
Canadian mountaineering traditions. Or at Ray's Antique
& Collectable Museum you can browse through some
old farm equipment and antique tools. Take a guided
hike way, way back [some 515 million years] and visit
the fossils of the renowned Yoho Burgess Shale or,
if art is your scene, there are many local art shops.
Tours:
Cruise the numerous small mountain
roads. Tour season is [weather permitting] from May
to October.
Bird / Wildlife Watching:
The Rocky Mountain Trench is a major
migratory path, and a great diversity of birds also
settles in the Columbia Valley. 265 transient and
resident species have been counted in Golden so far.
Reflection Lake, the Edelweiss slough and Moberly
Marsh are favourite birding spots. You can do bird
watching year-round, although there are more species
during migration in spring [April to June] and fall
[September to October].
Canoe / Kayak Tours:
At the Columbia River you can view
birds of prey, herons and ducks.
Paddle the Blaeberry River for more
action. The Kicking Horse River is the place to be
for great whitewater action. For very experienced
kayakers the lower canyon with its class IV rapids
is ideal. Season: May to October.
Climbing:
In 1912 six Swiss Mountain Guides
and their families moved permanently to Golden Canadian
Pacific Rail had hired them as professional mountain
guides for the many tourists who wanted to explore
the Canadian Rocky Mountains. Today there are many
ACMG certified mountain guides who live and work in
Golden and the mountains around. Golden attracts climbers
from all over the world.
Cycling:
Golden is the centre for the 'Golden
Triangle' Tour where you cross the Continental Divide
twice. You can go at your own pace or book a package
with one of the tour companies.
Freshwater Fishing / Ice Fishing /
Heli-Fishing:
The area's fishing opportunities are
endless, ranging from early and late rainbow trout,
small cutthroat trout in alpine lakes to char in the
river and giant ling [turbot] and Dolly Varden in
the hydro reservoir. Guides can take you to the type
of fishing you prefer and provide all the equipment
from boats to heli-fishing.
One of the more popular lake areas
is south of Golden, near Parson and Brisco. Many of
the lower lakes open early in May, and more fishing
can be found at higher elevations as summer arrives.
A popular lake is Mitten Lake. Also
excellent are the Cleland and Jade Lakes, and Blackwater
Lake to the west. Stocked rainbow trout up to 24-inches
can be caught in these areas. North/northwest of Golden
are the Susan and Jeb Lakes in the area of the Big
Bend Highway and are usually open by early July. These
two lakes are renowned for their Brook trout.
Anglers should note that the waters
to the north remain cooler longer in the summer and
often provide a more vigorous fish than the lethargic
fish of the southern waters. Many of the higher alpine
lakes,which open at various times later in the summer
offer exciting and picturesque fly and spin- cast
opportunities. The more popular areas include Gorman,
Quartz and Silent Lakes - and all trailheads are within
25 minutes of town. Hike-in distances range from several
kilometres to much longer.
For river fishing, the Columbia opens
early in the spring providing rainbows and char. With
a red and white spoon or a wet fly you'll likely catch
one. Also available in the Columbia are Dolly Varden,
whitefish and Kokanee.
Creeks and streams open officially
on June 14. A lightweight fly rod is recommended.
In the Glacier and Yoho National Parks is superb fishing
but you must have a special permit aside from your
regular license to encourage catch and release in
these areas.
Golfing:
The Golden Golf & Country Club
is rated one of the top 10 in B.C., the 75th best
course in Canada by Score magazine, with Golf Digest
rating it three-and-a-half stars. Whether you play
pro or beginner complete facilities and services at
the 18-hole championship course, listed. The season
is from mid April to October. The course ranges from
5,380 yards to 6,818 yards long. One hole, the 11th,
has such a fine setting that wedding parties have
utilized the spot for photographs. It is a par 4,
running 385 yards downhill from an elevated tee, with
Holt Creek running beside it. This course features
a pro shop, which can completely outfit all golfing
needs. As well, there is a full-service restaurant,
with a lounge and outdoor patio.
Hang-gliding ~ Paragliding:
The Mount 7 hang-gliding site is one
of the top ten sites in the world. Mount 7 is year
after year the site of National and International
Championships. If a novice you can take a tandem-flight
with an experienced instructor. The season is [weather
permitting] from ay to October.
Heli-Hiking / Skiing:
Golden is the birthplace area of the
sport and one of the best in the world. You can book
daily to weekly packages for heli-hiking and skiing.
Hiking ~ Hiking Guides:
Take a stroll along the dike of the
Kicking Horse River or along the numerous trails to
the alpine on your own or join a group at one of the
remote alpine lodges accessible by helicopter or a
guided tour to the world heritage site of the Yoho
Burgess-Shale. The day-hike trail at Gorman Lake is
the most popular. Mammal activities and sightings
of bear, muskrat, fox, and many others are not uncommon
just strolling in the woods. Some areas are known
to shelter abundant wildlife.
Back-country camping sites:
The lake affords excellent fly-fishing.
You can find marmots and pikas along talus slopes
and goats on the cliffs above. The hike is three kilometres
in length, ending at the lake, and takes about 90-minutes.
The Moonraker Trails at Canyon Creek
are popular for hiking as well as biking and horseback
riding.
There are some 45-kilometres of loop
trails stretching from the Cedar Lake area to Canyon
Creek. This is only minutes from town but home to
wild mountain goats and bears.
The Mummery Glacier Trail is three-kilometres
in length through old-growth cedar and hemlock and
spectacular views of the glacier for which it is named.
After a short trek up an old creek bed and across
the creek by bridge you'll arrive at the immense moraines
left by the glacier. The trail ends at one of these
moraines, near the top where there is a view of the
glacier and waterfalls above - but look out for calving
ice off the glacier!
The Quartz Lake Trail west of town
is a five-kilometre hike and is recommended for the
area's pristine beauty.
The recent elimination of the Ministry
of Forests' recreation program, may have lead to the
dismantling of signs, toilets, and picnic tables at
some recreation sites, but you may find a guidebook
at Golden's bookstore.
Horseback ~ Trail Riding:
You will find specially trained horses
for the beginner to the expert. Tours range from short
rides to multiple day excursions. Riding season is
from mid-June to October.
Hunting / Guide Outfitters:
Although most people like to go hunting
with their cameras, some take a rifle and want to
come back with a trophy. The BC Government allows
hunting of black bears, mountain goats and other animals
within limited quotas and led by certified guide outfitters.
Hunting seasons vary depending on species.
Mountain Biking:
With 7,700 feet of vertical terrain
enthusiasts can ride the mountains themselves or with
guides, which are available at Kicking Horse Mountain
Resort where they launch their rides down the mountain.
For the price of a day's lift ticket you can bike
down 4200 vertical feet, accessed by the gondola.
Mount 7 is the location of the legendary Mount 7 Psychosis
downhill race offering some 12 kilometres of downhill
drops, steeps and technical woodwork playgrounds.
People can pedal to the top, with several jump-off
trails at three, five and six-kilometres. Shuttling
via truck 15-kilometres to the top is a popular option.
Mountain biking cross-country:
Golden has an in-town trail system
as well as a 45-kilometre trail system on the west
bank of the Columbia River along the Canyon Creek
trail along the narrow deep canyon, which is a steep
climb up with a long, rolling descent. Motocross racing
comes to Golden in late May.
Mountain Climbing:
Golden has been well known for its
mountain climbing since the end of the 19th century
with the coming of the Swiss Guides to the Selkirk
and Rocky Mountains. Local climbers have developed
several areas around Golden over the last decades.
The most popular area is Jubilee Mountain near Spillimacheen,
45 minutes south of town. It offers over 70 climbs,
mostly sport [bolted] ranging from 5.8 to 5.12. Another
popular area that is easer with low-angle climbs is
up the Mount 7 road at the 6-kilometre parking lot,
with most of the climbs slab in nature with a handful
of short, pumpy climbs. Difficulty ranges from 5.6
to 5.11, some bolted and some mixed. A 60-metre rope
is recommended for top-roping the longer routes.
A new climbing area is in the Kicking
Horse Canyon, 10-kilometres
east of Golden called 'The Glen' after
nearby Glenogle Creek. This is a quartzite area and
will provide a wide range of climbing, from slab to
severely overhanging and difficult routes. Another
short, quartzite crag is up the forest service road
on the west side of the Columbia River near Nicholson
[five-kilometres south of Golden]. This is a steep
sport climbing wall with approximately 10 climbs from
5.10 to 5.11 plus.
Whitewater Rafting:
The Kicking Horse River originates
from icy glaciers at the western boundary of Yoho
National Park and runs along 20-kilometres, has class
three and four rapids careening through a canyon and
right into Golden
There are roughly a dozen rafting
companies in the canyon. These attract thousands of
visitors from May to September each year. Rafting
begins at the upper canyon through the first set of
Class IV rapids known as Shotgun and Portage followed
by a dozen Class III rapids. It continues into the
lower canyon where Class IV rapids, Double Trouble,
Riptide, and the Nozzle spread over three-kilometres.
Many guiding companies offer a variety of trips from
one-day to multi-day raft outings and even heli-rafting,
which takes advantage of other nearby rivers, one
being the Blaeberry River.
Flat-water excursions:
Available through the Columbia Valley
Wetlands, a popular kayaking and canoeing destination.
Before you leave Golden, the new pedestrian
bridge is a must-see. This was completed in the fall
of 2001 by volunteer timber framers from Golden, Europe,
and the United States. Because of the high waters
in the fall, the installation of the bridge didn't
occur until October 25, with the help of Sterling
Cranes from Calgary, which took three full days, inching
along and out onto a temporary footing, and finally
onto the far shore where it was fitted into its concrete
abutments. The bridge is 150-feet-long, with a 210,000-pound
burr arch structure. The cost of the bridge is estimated
to be $250,000, but considering the volunteer time
and the donated materials its value would be over
twice that amount.
__________________________
Margot B: author of a book &
100's of articles on health & the environment.
Margot B & Associates consist of a staff of outstanding,
professional writers in the US, Canada, France, Belgium,
New Zealand. Copyright © Margot B & Associates; Author Profile
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